by naca-web | Sep 2, 2023 | Blog, Field Services, Position Statements
Unity of Animal Control & Sheltering
The National Animal Care and Control Association [NACA] supports the integration of animal control and sheltering services under unified leadership. The potential union of these essential functions represents an approach that will greatly benefit the animals and communities served.Animal control and sheltering share a common goal of ensuring the well-being and safety of animals, as well as fostering positive relationships with residents. Bringing these two vital services under the same leadership is an incredible opportunity to streamline processes, enhance coordination, and amplify the impact of all efforts.
Here are a few reasons why NACA believes this integration is worth considering:
- Efficiency: Consolidating leadership can lead to more efficient resource allocation, reduced duplication of efforts, and a smoother workflow between animal control and sheltering
teams.
- Comprehensive Care: Integrated leadership allows a seamless continuum of care for animals, from their initial interaction with animal control to their eventual placement or return to their
owners.
- Community Engagement: With unified leadership, agencies and organizations can deliver a more consistent message to the community, promoting responsible pet ownership, animal
welfare education, and adoption initiatives.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Close collaboration between animal control officers and shelter staff facilitates the sharing of expertise, knowledge, and best practices.
- Effective Advocacy: A unified approach can strengthen advocacy efforts for improved animal welfare policies and regulations, benefiting both animals and the community as a
whole.
NACA believes that by unifying animal sheltering and animal control under the same leadership, agencies can foster a more comprehensive and impactful approach to animal welfare, achieve
more positive outcomes, and make a lasting impact on the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
by naca-web | Mar 27, 2023 | Announcements, Blog, Position Statements
It is the position of NACA that every animal control officer should receive, at minimum, the below-outlined training. Requiring minimum training standards will increase safety for officers, animals, and the communities they serve. Furthermore, it is the position of NACA that officers should be required to complete continuing education units to remain relevant and current with national trends and evolving standards.
The recommendations outlined in this document are intended to serve as support to officers and agencies who are advocating for professional development training and funding for training for their officers.
Animal Control Officers (ACOs) perform a variety of services related to pets and people. They work long hours, in dangerous situations, in inclement weather, and oftentimes with inadequate resources, training, and equipment. Animal control officers in most areas are responsible for more than enforcing animal laws; they also assist law enforcement as the animal experts in their community, provide the services of social workers, risk their lives as emergency responders, mitigate community member conflicts, and much more. They work closely with the justice system, including prosecutors and judges, local and state law enforcement agencies, elected and appointed officials, the state veterinarian and health department, the local rabies authority, the fire department, code enforcement, and social services agencies. Although not traditionally classified as first responders, animal control officers perform essential work ensuring public safety for humans and animals.
Animal Control Officers should, at a minimum be trained on:
- Animal behavior and safe animal handling
- Communication and de-escalation techniques
- Public perception
- Multicultural community engagement; Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Animal first aid
- Basic animal investigations including but not limited to:
- Search warrants
- Evidence collection and preservation
- Report writing
- Courtroom procedures and testimony
- Animal health including but not limited to:
- Nutrition
- Disease recognition, zoonosis, prevention, and herd health
- Animal husbandry
- Local, state, and federal laws relating to animal cruelty and neglect.
- Rabies prevention and processes
In today’s world, it is vital that animal control officers are trained to safely perform their job. Ensuring minimum training standards are met across the nation will help improve accountability, consistency, retention, and reputation, and increase the professionalism of the animal control officer by proactively identifying skill gaps.
NACA recommends when selecting a training vendor other than NACA, that industry best practices are used in helping to determine your selection:
- Does the training provider understand the culture of today’s animal care and control
professional and the evolving complexities of the role?
- What accreditation do they offer?
- Approval or endorsement by NACA is a stamp of quality.
- Do the trainers possess the expertise and experience you are looking for?
- Do they offer multi-channel and innovative learning methodologies?
- Do they measure progress and record attendance?
- Can they customize their content to suit your agency’s needs?
- Ask for recommendations from other trusted professionals.
A list of NACA endorsed training sources can be found on the NACA Training webpage: National Animal Care & Control Association | NACA Professional Development for ACOs (nacatraining.org)
The National Animal Care & Control Association is committed to setting the standard of professionalism in animal welfare and public safety through training, networking, and advocacy.
by naca-web | Feb 9, 2023 | Announcements, Blog, Position Statements, Shelter Operations
NACA Statement on Support of Updated Association of Shelter Veterinarian Guidelines
NACA leadership has reviewed the guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters issued in December 2022 by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) and is pleased to provide an endorsement of this robust resource for shelter professionals. This is the first revision of the document, which was originally published in 2010.
At NACA, we feel the most significant updates to the 2022 version of the ASV guidelines center around the need for shelters to manage intake at all costs in order to ensure adequate care can be provided for the animals once they enter the shelter system. While “Both documents share the guiding principle that meeting each animal’s physical and emotional needs is the fundamental obligation of a shelter regardless of the mission of the organization or the challenges involved in meeting those needs”, the Second Edition focuses more heavily on the idea that prevention of intake is the solution to compliance with a capacity of care standards.
Shelters across America, and in particular municipal shelters, are facing an unprecedented disparity between intakes and outcomes, are forced to place incoming dogs in pop-up kennelsin hallways or conference rooms orreturn to the practice of space-based euthanasia (which most had successfully stopped or were on a path to stopping).According to Shelter Animals Count, 4% more animals entered shelters than left in 2022 and this is anincrease of 2% from 2021, the largest gap in the past four years.It is critical that our industry push outmessagesto the public about the necessity to limit intake based on available resources.
According to the new ASV guidelines, “admission must be balanced with the ability to provide appropriate outcomes, minimize LOS, and ensure the shelter remains within its capacity for care. Population management begins prior to admission: an animal must only be admitted if the shelter can provide the care they require.”Contingency plans for temporary/ emergency animal housing in times of capacity crises should be developed and in place if/ when they are needed.
The guidelines go on to state just how critically important it is in the scope of our work that we prioritize the quality of life in the shelter above all else.“Aversion to euthanasia is not an excuse for crowding and poor welfare”. Furthermore, “enrichment must be given the same significance as other components of animal care, such as nutrition and medical care, and is never considered optional.”
In addition to these key takeaways, NACA supports the updated standards of care recommendations and directives detailed in the updated ASV guidelines that cover nearly every aspect of shelter operations and encourages all animal services organizations to review the guidelines in their entirety and comply to the maximum extent possible.
by naca-web | Jul 13, 2022 | Blog, Position Statements
NACA Is Opposed to Breed Specific Legislation
The National Animal Care & Control Association’s fundamental goal is to achieve safe and humane communities; Our priority is safety, first and foremost, in the most effective and most comprehensive way possible. Because everyone benefits from a safe society – both people and pets. Sometimes, however, dog encounters go awry. According to the National Canine Research Council, “96% of dog bite injuries presenting at ER’s are minor – the person is treated and released. Dog bite injuries are among the highest rate of treat and release for any injury tracked by the CDC. Less than 1.5% require hospitalization, unlike injuries in general, which result in hospitalization more than 4 times as often.”
At NACA, we believe our communities can make these unfortunate incidents even less common. However, breed-specific legislation (BSL) or breed discrimination is ineffective as it fails to enhance public safety, is expensive to enforce, and violates the property rights of dog owners. We want our communities to be protected against dangerous dogs – and we want abused dogs to be protected from reckless owners. The focus of any policy should be on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the owners.
NACA believes that breed-specific legislation (BSL) is breed discrimination and is critically ineffective. BSL fails to enhance public safety, has significant costs associated with enforcement, and violates dog owners’ property rights. Public safety from nuisance or dangerous dogs is a priority, as is protecting dogs from dangerous or harmful owners and thus the focus of any policy should be focused on the behavior associated with such acts.
According to the Animal Legal and Historical Center at Michigan State University, “Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) is, in simple terms, a statute or regulation that is directed toward one or more specific breeds of dogs. The majority of BSL is focused on breeds traditionally known as “dangerous,” or those that have demonstrated particular propensities for aggression and violent behavior.”
BSL or breed discrimination may include any of the following:
- Mandatory spay-neuter
- Mandatory muzzling
- Liability insurance requirements
- Special licensing and additional fees
- Mandatory microchipping or tattoos
- Owner/walker age requirements
- Property posting requirements
- Confinement and leash requirements
- Breed-specific pet limits sale or transfer notification requirements
- Restrictions on access to certain public spaces with the dog [e.g.: public parks,
school grounds]
- Required town-issued items [e.g.: fluorescent collar; vest]
- Training requirements
- A requirement that photos of the dog and/or owner be kept on file as appropriate with the jurisdiction
- Insurance policies that discriminate against breeds of dogs
- Housing policies that discriminate against breeds of dogs
NACA agrees with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s statement:
“The issue of dangerous dogs, dog bites and public safety is a complex one. Any dog can bite,
regardless of its breed. It is the dog’s individual history, behavior, general size, number of dogs
involved, and the vulnerability of the person bitten that determines the likelihood of biting and
whether a dog will cause a serious bite injury. Breed-specific bans are a simplistic answer to a
far more complex social problem, and they have the potential to divert attention and resources
from more effective approaches.”
NACA also agrees with the 2012 American Bar Association resolution that:
“urges all state, territorial, and local legislative bodies and governmental agencies to adopt
a comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous dog/reckless owner laws that ensure due
process protections for owners, encourage responsible pet ownership and focus on the
behavior of both dog owners and dogs, and to repeal any breed discriminatory or breed-
specific provisions.”
Rather than implementing BSL, NACA recommends a four-pronged approach provided by the National Canine Research Council to reduce dog bites in communities.
These are:
- Focus on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the owner.
- Improved husbandry practices, a better understanding of canine behavior, and
increasing knowledge of pet owners regarding safety around dogs.
- Consistent enforcement of dangerous dog/ dangerous owner ordinances in
communities.
- Effective laws that hold owners responsible for custody and control of dogs
regardless of breed or type.
References:
Community cost of BSL: https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/breed-specific-legislation-bsl-cost-calculator
National Canine Research Council BSL Q and A:
https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/public-policy/breed-specific-legislation-faq
Dog Bites Problems and Solutions:
https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/news/newedition-dog-bites-problems-
and-solutions
ASPCA Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation: Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation | ASPCA
The Humane Society of The United Stated Breed–Specific Legislation: Breed–Specific
Legislation | The Humane Society of the United States
by naca-web | Jun 30, 2022 | Blog, Position Statements
NACA Statement on Recognizing the Role of the Animal Control Officer NACA recommends animal control officers receive compensation, training, resources, and equipment necessary to perform the critical services they provide to their communities.
More specifically, NACA advocates animal control officers be given appropriate humane handling equipment, vehicles in good condition, standardized uniforms, and personal safety equipment. Ideally, animal control officers should also have access to microchip scanners, laptop computers, leashes, collars, pet food, pet supplies, and other resources that enable them to effectively support pets and people in their communities. Finally, NACA recommends agencies review officer compensation to determine if existing salaries are sufficient to recruit and retain qualified and skilled animal control officers.
Animal control officers (ACOs) perform a vast number of services related to pets and people. They work long hours, in dangerous situations, in inclement weather, and oftentimes with inadequate resources, training, and equipment. Animal control officers in most areas are responsible for more than enforcing animal laws; they also assist law enforcement as the animal experts in their community, provide the services of social workers, risk their lives as emergency responders, mitigate community member conflicts, and much more.
They work closely with the justice system, including prosecutors and judges, local and state law enforcement agencies, elected and appointed officials, state veterinarian and health department, the local rabies authority, the fire department, code enforcement, and social services agencies. Although not traditionally classified as first responders, animal control officers perform essential work that ensures public safety for both humans and animals.
Here are just a few of the services provided by animal control officers across the U.S.:
- Overseeing rabies quarantines
- Rescuing pets in extreme cold and heat
- Investigating dangerous and vicious dog cases
- Investigating dog bites
- Preventing unnecessary shelter intake and helping reunite lost pets with their people
- Inspecting pet stores and animal rescues
- Investigating animal neglect, cruelty, hoarding, and intentional acts of abuse
- Following up on veterinary and court-ordered inspections of homes
- Addressing noise and waste complaints
- Mitigating complaints about outdoor and free-roaming cats
- Rescuing lost and stray animals that are sick, injured or in immediate danger.
- Providing food, supplies, and medical support to pet owners
- Repairing/building fences for dog owners
- Catching and/or trapping individual loose dogs
- Assisting pet owners who are in crisis, including incarceration and evictions
- Responding to emergencies
- Assisting pet owners experiencing homelessness
- Managing welfare cases and sick or injured wildlife, exotic animals, and farmed animals
- Transporting pets
- Providing humane education and outreach
- Provide information to owners on humane pet care
- Picking up and disposing of deceased animals
- Supporting community cat programs (TNR and SNR)
In summary, animal control officers today perform a wide variety of functions far beyond the outdated “dog catcher” characterization of the past. They deserve to be properly equipped, trained, and compensated for this complex and difficult work. For a complete listing of the recommended guidelines for animal control officers, visit National Animal Care & Control Association website.
Stay Safe,
Jerrica Owen
Executive Director
National Animal Care & Control Association
by naca-web | Jun 2, 2022 | Announcements, Blog, Position Statements
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Dear colleagues,
NACA wants to thank you for continuing to go above and beyond every day for the animals and people in your communities. At our very core, NACA envisions a world in which all animal care and control professionals are respected as essential public servants and receive consistent support, resources and training allowing them to effectively and compassionately achieve the highest quality of life for the animals and citizens in the community they serve. Please read below for our most current position statement in response to the potential for expansion of Courtroom Animal Advocates Program (CAAP) Laws. This statement is directly in line with that of NACA’s 44-year-old mission, vision, and values. We are honored to be doing our part to help protect those that protect the animals and people in their communities, the brave Animal Control Professionals. Thank you for all you do!
Background
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) is described as “laws that allow legal practitioners – supervised law students or volunteer lawyers – to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases. Volunteers appear in court and assist the judge by drafting briefs, conducting research, gathering information from veterinarians, animal control officers, and law enforcement officials, and making recommendations on behalf of the animal victim’s interest.”
These laws are based on Desmond’s Law, passed in Connecticut in October 2016, which allows legal advocates to testify on behalf of animal victims in cruelty and neglect cases. The impacts of these laws have yet to be studied and there is no evidence to show the rates of animal crimes have dropped in Connecticut since the law was enacted in 2016.
There is a likelihood that several CAAP laws will be introduced in multiple states this coming year. These laws have the potential to negatively impact animal control agencies and officers.
Animal Control Officers have historically served as advocates for animals in cruelty and neglect cases and we are concerned these laws have a real potential to further marginalize and silence the voices and experiences of the animal control officers themselves. We believe that adding an external advocate to already-complex cases is likely to lead to a divergence of opinions on what is ‘best’ for the animal victim. It is not clear how the varying opinions of the investigating officer, the prosecutor, and the court-appointed advocate would be weighted.
NACA’s Recommendation
Given the potential negative consequences of CAAP bills, as well as the fact that there is no data to show that CAAP laws achieve their stated purpose, we recommend these laws are carefully studied to determine the impact on animal victims of cruelty and neglect and on the overall welfare of animals. We do not recommend the introduction or adoption of new CAAP legislation at this time, due to this lack of information.
Further, we recommend animal control officers throughout the U.S. are afforded ongoing opportunities to provide meaningful feedback on any bills that will impact animal cruelty and neglect cases in their state.
Animal Control Officers’ Expertise and Experience Should Drive Policy Change
Animal control agencies consistently identify several key challenges related to the successful investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases. These include:
- a critical lack of human and financial resources to adequately investigate and prosecute; and
- a disconnect between animal control officers and the rest of the justice system; and
- a lack of urgency that often results in months to years-long wait for animals in shelter kennels waiting for cases to be heard; and
- a confusing and outdated state and local law when it comes to animal cruelty and neglect.
We ask policymakers to engage with animal control professionals to better understand the issues they face and to create laws and policies to address them.
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With gratitude,
Jerrica Owen, CAWA | Executive Director
National Animal Care & Control Association
